vasectomy reversal

Q | what is a vasectomy reversal?

A | Vasectomy is the procedure of choice for men who do not want to father any children (or any additional children). A small number of men who have had vasectomy after completing their family decide to have further children. Nowadays, there are a large number of options available and these can be divided generally into two categories:

1. Surgical techniques to mechanically reverse the effects of vasectomy

2. 'Test tube' techniques, such as IVF and ICSI, for couples

The surgical technique is vasectomy reversal whereby the vas (the small tubes connected to the testicles which allows sperm to leave) are rejoined. Studies have shown that a number of factors will affect the success of vasectomy reversal. Important success factors of operation are:

the time interval between vasectomy and the request for vasectomy reversal – the best results are obtained if the original vasectomy was carried out within the previous 10 years

the use of microsurgical techniques to improve the outcome – use of the operating microscope allows accurate rejoining of the vas tubes, thereby increasing long term success of this procedure